The Omaha community gathered Friday to honor a World War II hero.A ceremony was held for the renaming of a U.S. Post Office in Benson as Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.The post office, located near N. 62nd and Maple streets, honors Charles Jackson French.”Words are hard to express at this time because I’m so happy,” French’s nephew, Chester French said. Chester French said on Friday that his family would have been happy to see this honor. “If the siblings were living, and his parents, they would be really happy about this,” Chester French said.Charles French was in the U.S. Navy in World War II when their ship, the USS Gregory, was sunk by Japanese forces. French saved the lives of 15 of his shipmates by swimming through shark-infested waters near the Solomon Islands.His family said he did this despite the racial divide Black U.S. Naval men had to endure. “Those 15 sailors that he saved that day, he changed their hearts. We know from their stories they defended him later when folks tried to treat him again separately from the rest of the crew,” Congressman Don Bacon said. It wouldn’t be until 2022 that French was formally recognized for his bravery. The city of Omaha proclaimed Sept. 9, 2022 as Charles Jackson French Day. “Celebrating the hero of the Solomon Islands who served our country,” Keith Station said. The mayor, Jean Stothert, was not in attendance. Chester French said he hopes his uncle can serve as an inspiration to youth. “It should be known to the school systems where the young minority kids are coming up, they can see through hard work they can accomplish things,” Chester French said. A historical marker will also be placed at the Benson post office. It’s unclear when that will happen. The U.S. Navy also dedicated its surface rescue swimmer training pool at Naval Aviation Schools Command Swim Site San Diego in French’s honor.You can watch KETV NewsWatch 7’s Chronicle on honoring Omaha’s military hero here.
The Omaha community gathered Friday to honor a World War II hero.
A ceremony was held for the renaming of a U.S. Post Office in Benson as Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French Post Office.
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The post office, located near N. 62nd and Maple streets, honors Charles Jackson French.
“Words are hard to express at this time because I’m so happy,” French’s nephew, Chester French said.
Chester French said on Friday that his family would have been happy to see this honor.
“If the siblings were living, and his parents, they would be really happy about this,” Chester French said.
Charles French was in the U.S. Navy in World War II when their ship, the USS Gregory, was sunk by Japanese forces. French saved the lives of 15 of his shipmates by swimming through shark-infested waters near the Solomon Islands.
His family said he did this despite the racial divide Black U.S. Naval men had to endure.
“Those 15 sailors that he saved that day, he changed their hearts. We know from their stories they defended him later when folks tried to treat him again separately from the rest of the crew,” Congressman Don Bacon said.
It wouldn’t be until 2022 that French was formally recognized for his bravery. The city of Omaha proclaimed Sept. 9, 2022 as Charles Jackson French Day.
“Celebrating the hero of the Solomon Islands who served our country,” Keith Station said. The mayor, Jean Stothert, was not in attendance.
Chester French said he hopes his uncle can serve as an inspiration to youth.
“It should be known to the school systems where the young minority kids are coming up, they can see through hard work they can accomplish things,” Chester French said.
A historical marker will also be placed at the Benson post office. It’s unclear when that will happen.
The U.S. Navy also dedicated its surface rescue swimmer training pool at Naval Aviation Schools Command Swim Site San Diego in French’s honor.
You can watch KETV NewsWatch 7’s Chronicle on honoring Omaha’s military hero here.